The decision on which Post Offices are to close has today been made public. Of the 25 Post Offices in the Huntingdon Constituency, three are subject to closure measures.
These are Great Stukeley, Great Gransden and Catworth. Of these three villages, two will have alternative arrangements for Post office facilities but one will be closed outright. Local MP's Jonathan Djanogly and Shailesh Vara are to hand petitions into Downing Street.
Jonathan Djanogly MP said;
'We have seen the largest ever annual closure programme of sub-Post Offices, over 4,000 having closed since 1999. Its decision on the future of the Post Office network amounts to an acceleration of that rate of closure, shutting a further 2,500 branches over the next two years. By the time of the next election the Government will have closed over one third of the entire Post Office network this is an assault on our rural communities. Locally, I shall continue to consult and work with the local parishes specifically targeted for Post Office closure.
This Government policy does not appear to be based on a sound business case or on an understanding of what the consumer wants and needs. The Government's vision is to have fewer sub-Post Offices, providing fewer services to fewer people and I am concerned that this will affect the most vulnerable across my constituency and the country. The Government needs to recognise that if a local Post Office closes, often the last shop in the village closes as well, and a van for a couple of hours a week is no replacement for a Post Office open full time.'
Local newspapers along with local residents have been collecting signatures in petitions against the closures and so far nearly 8,000 people have added their names.
The petitions will be presented to Downing Street by MP's Jonathan Djanogly Shailesh Vara along with local Councillors. Also to be invited are to be those Parish Councils that are affected by the closures.
Jonathan Djanogly MP added;
'It is important that the people of the Huntingdon Constituency send a message to the government about the closure programme. I believe this is harmful to British rural life and it is important that we let them know how we feel on this issue. I am consulting with the Parish Councils and the Post offices in the affected areas and I shall continue to fight this decision in Parliament but it is vital that we are all vocal on this issue.'"